IA to host assembly on street redevelopment

By Joseph B.A. Marzan

The Intramuros Administration (IA) will be launching a citizens’ assembly on July 12, 2021 to transform one of Intramuros’ main roads into a street almost exclusively for pedestrians.

The project is part of efforts to maintain the heritage area and encourage tourism.

Known to many Filipinos as “the walled city”, Intramuros is an award-winning tourist attraction and a monument to the history of the Filipino people located in the heart of Manila.

It has served as an important trading post during Rajah Sulayman’s rule, a seat of government during the Spanish era, and a war zone during World War II. It was also home to two of the country’s academic institutions – the Ateneo De Manila University and the University of Santo Tomas.

The IA was created by former President Ferdinand Marcos in 1979 via Presidential Decree No. 1616, to restore and develop Intramuros as a monument to the Hispanic period and ensure that its general appearance conforms to the Philippine-Spanish architecture between the 16th to 19th centuries.

One of the remarkable thoroughfares in Intramuros is General Luna Street, which houses one of its entrances, and serves as access to preserve Spanish-era structures.

The street is also the site of San Agustin Church, which was designated as a World Heritage Site by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) in 1993.

Other well-known spots along General Luna are the Pamantasan ng Lungsod ng Maynila, the Manila Cathedral, and popular restaurants such as Barbara’s and Ilustrado.

Today, the IA is considering turning General Luna Street into a pedestrian-only street to preserve the integrity of the ancient buildings and encourage tourism.

A pedestrian-only street where motor vehicles are not allowed to enter or pass through except for emergency vehicles, and only walking, cycling, light electric vehicles and pedicabs are allowed,

But before it moves ahead with any official policy, the IA, in partnership with the Makati Business Club (MBC) and Konrad Adenauer Stiftung (KAS), will launch the Intramuros Citizens’ Assembly on Pedestrian-Only Streets on July 12, to gather opinions online, from residents and visitors.

The said citizens’ assembly launch will see the opening of an online survey open to the public, where they can share their perspective and agree or disagree with other people’s opinions on General Luna Street’s development.

A kick-off event to discuss the proposed transformations will feature IA Administrator Atty. Guiller Asido, IA Urban Planning and Community Development Division chief Atty. Vhincent Cañares, and Layertech CEO Frei Sangil.

Voting on the online survey will close on July 28, along with a closing ceremony hosted by the IA, MBC, and KAS.